Do Worms Do The Job?

Hi I’m a veteran UC sufferer based in Oxfordshire Uk – diagnosed in 1984 aged 18 after an acute attack which resulted in severe weight loss and anaemia.

Some more about me:

I am from Oxfordshire, Uk, & love amateur dramatics & singing. WorkIng as an After sales Co-ordinator for A Renewables Company.

Symptoms:

A Slow flare up with bleeding and Some pain v but over the years my body seems to have got used to waiting until work is over before I have to rush to the bathroom! Ive been taking Mesalazine & Azathioprine for past few yearsbut now Im going to add a couple of spoons extra virgin olive oil on a daily basis and see if that helps.

Do Worms Do the Job

Hi I’m 47 & live in the UK and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1984 which has flared on and off since. I have 5 lovely children aged between 17 – 27 including twins- the uc was fairly quiescent during most pregnancies although I had to have blood transfusion during 3rd, but a flare up usually followed 2-3 months after delivery.

I find my condition is massively affected by stress levels but since most people say I seem so calm – I assume any stress rushes straight to my colon! I don’t think there have been any great advances in the treatment of this disease – perhaps because bowel problems aren’t a popular ’cause’ when it comes to funding research?

Has anyone tried the ‘worms’ treatment – & with any success?

I have family in California as my dad is American but has lived here in the uk since the 1960’s. Treatment for UC in this country is pretty basic – just drugs, blood tests and occasional check ups when required. I don’t think there’s a proper screening program (colonoscopy) either although one doc mentioned these should be every 3 years – how often have other sufferers been invited for this examination?

written by Sheela

submitted in the colitis venting area

About Sheela

Hi I'm a veteran UC sufferer based in Oxfordshire Uk - diagnosed in 1984 aged 18 after an acute attack which resulted in severe weight loss and anaemia.

10 Responses to Do Worms Do The Job?

I myself don’t have any experience with worms (or helminth therapy as some might call it), but we did have a posting I wrote on the exact topic not too long ago. There was quite a bit of research being conducted and it for sure broke the news just a short while back. You might want to check this posting out:

hi,
I have not tried it but my GI’s office is very active in clinical trials for UC and Crohns. I do know that there are 3 people at my GI’s office that are on it. All three of them had positive response but not sure if that means remission. If I fail my current remicade treatment I would consider worm therapy or stem transplant therapy both are which are enrolling patients. Hope this is useful.

Hi,
Just wanted to add there is a closed fb support group for those experiencing helminthic therapy. My Gi doc said “it works “. But he encouraged me to wait until more research is done. Just search in Facebook for helminthic therapy and I think you will find it and you can request to be added. There is a wealth of information and many positive success stories. It’s my next choice when the remicade stops working. Best wishes!

I recently had opportunity to enroll in the worm therapy but my
Symptoms at the time weren’t bad enough so I didn’t go any further.
It seems promising though and has worked for many. I’m in Houston tx
And the study is now at Baylor. Fingers crossed we get these **safer** options.

I’ve been in contact with them in the UK, its a straightfoward thing where they send you doses in the mail:) One of the lab geniuses harvesting the worms has UC. They are quite helpful and will skype if you have any questions etc. It’s quite expensive and I was ready to try but I had CMV infection so the chances of it working wasn’t great. The Crohns patients get the worm which lasts the longest about 5 yrs and for UC patients its 3 max! When my infection clears and it seems to be I’ll be taking the plunge and let you guys know what happens..
Remission dust to all xx

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I am a Mom of a teeneager diagnosed wit UC and when I was searching for common ground,comfort and the real story this was it! I haven't finished the book but I have already taken away suggestions for my son's care and utilized them. So that was worth already the cost of the book and recipes. Thank you Adam and I will review again, I am sure positive, when I have time to finish reading and applying!

I found Adam’s book to be very information on about having UC. I am a mom of a UCer but I also have digestive issues. It can be overwhelming at times and Adams book brought me hope. I highly recommend it as a book to help you find your way through it.

Thank you for sharing your story and journey to remission Adam. I am integrating some of your ideas and asking more questions of my health care practitioners to get on my own path to remission faster. Also, the immediate changes I made in my diet has been encouraging to alleviate some symptoms.

Thank you again. I look forward to the next iteration of your cook book.

What an amazing resource. It definitely opened my eyes to the world of UC. I love how realistic Adam was about all the different treatments, and the details of the struggles to get to remission. While it definitely wasn’t what I wanted to hear (I think we can all agree it would be nice if we could just wake up and feel better), it was definitely comforting to know I’m not the only one struggling hardcore to get to remission so that I can hopefully control my pancolitis with lifestyle and not medications eventually. The book had me laughing at times and in tears from being able to relate to the struggles. Thank you so much for writing this book. It’s been such a valuable resource in so many ways, including helping me learn ways to share information so my family and friends can have a better understanding of what it’s like. So again, thank you for this Adam. It is a must read for anyone struggling to gather as much information as possible.

I honestly felt like you wrote my biography. I've lived my life the same way you did, eating, drinking and partying without having to worry. I did have signs along the way as well but didn't take to much notice to it until the blood showed up. I was diagnosed in October 2016 and at the time my GI told me it had nothing to do with my diet, so I lived my life the same way I always did. I've been trying many different meds without little or no results. After my 29th birthday in June 2017 I started feeling more sick and the weight loss had started, I've always been a skinny guy and ever since I lost quiet a bit of weight which has been something that just makes me feel more uncomfortable. I consulted a Homeopath in October 2017 and she started me on the Paleo diet, while researching that I came across your site and the SCD diet which I started in December 2017. I didn't do any of the diets a 100%, but I did start seeing results. I went a bit off the rails during the festive season while traveling but I'm easing into the SCD diet again and plan on going 100% this weekend. UC has caused a lot of stress for me but I've come to accept it and look at it in a positive way. My goal is to eat healthy, put some weight back on and start living a normal life again. I haven't let UC stop me from living my life although it has limited me, but thats all going to change! Thank you for sharing your story and being an inspiration to all of us.